Timmerhuset facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Timmerhuset
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | New Sweden, Maine |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1870 |
| Architectural style | Log Cabin |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000102 |
| Added to NRHP | August 23, 1973 |
Timmerhuset is a very old log cabin located near Jemtland Road in New Sweden, Maine. It was likely built between 1871 and 1875. This cabin is special because it's the oldest known building made by Swedish immigrants in Maine. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
What is Timmerhuset?
Timmerhuset sits on a small hill. From here, you can see the Little Madawaska River. It is in northern New Sweden, a quiet area in Aroostook County, Maine.
How the Cabin Looks
This cabin is a simple, one-and-a-half-story building. It faces south. The roof has a sloped shape, with a small triangle part in the middle.
The cabin is made from logs that were cut and shaped by hand. The sides of the logs are flat. They fit together using special cuts called notches. The spaces between the logs were filled with materials called "chinking." This helped keep the cabin warm.
On the right side of the entrance, the roof sticks out further. This creates a small, shed-like area. It is covered with straight wooden boards.
A Home for Swedish Immigrants
In the 1860s, the state of Maine started a program. It wanted to bring new settlers to its rural areas. Many Swedish people came to northern Aroostook County through this program.
Early Settlers in Maine
The state was supposed to give them tools and cabins. But when the first group of Swedish immigrants arrived in 1870, only six cabins were ready. More groups came in the years after that.
It is thought that someone from one of these later groups built Timmerhuset. This cabin is very important. It is the only early cabin built by Swedish immigrants that still stands today. Other log buildings from Swedish settlers exist, but they have usually been changed into bigger houses.
